Yusuf leads inspired Lions bowling attack

Codi Yusuf led a riveting bowling display by the DP World Lions claiming four wickets to ensure his side were in complete control after day four of the Division 1 Four-Day Series final against cross Jukskei rivals Momentum Multiply Titans in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The seamer claimed 4/46 as the hosts bundled out their visitors for a poor 123 in reply to their first-innings score of 413/7 declared – a huge deficit of 290.

The follow on was subsequently enforced by home captain Dominic Hendricks, with the away side then reaching 118/3 when bad light ended play early. It still left the side from Centurion needing 172 to make the Lions bat again on the final day of what is a five-day decider at DP World Wanderers.

The Titans had started day four already in a fix at 17/3 and their problems initially looked to have been solved by Keegan Petersen (50 off 87 balls, 9x4).

Petersen put on 58 with nightwatchman Junior Dala, who made a stubborn 12 of 54 balls, before being bowled by Bjorn Fortuin, also excellent with 3/27.

However, from 75/3 the visitors collapsed by losing their remaining seven wickets for 48.

The set Petersen followed Dala to the pavilion when he we cleaned up by Tshepo Moreki (1/16), whilst Rivaldo Moonsamy (4) fell cheaply to spinner Fortuin.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius did his best to reduce the deficit with an unbeaten 30 but he lacked support and the Titans were dismissed in 47 overs.

Luthu Sipamla, who took 2/31 in the first innings, then landed an early blow in the follow-on innings when he got rid of away captain Neil Brand for nine.

A 49-run second-wicket partnership between Joshua van Heerden and Petersen brought finally brought some calm to the batting, though Fortuin again struck at a crucial time when he accounted for the former for 24.

The latter went on to reach his second half century of the match – and he remained unmoved on 50* (97 balls, 8x4) – as he put on 37 with Dewald Brevis (26).

But Sipamla did manage to get the dangerous Brevis in the final passage of play, with Pretorius (6*) keeping Petersen company to the close.